Deuteronomy 30 17

Deuteronomy 30:17 kjv

But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

Deuteronomy 30:17 nkjv

But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them,

Deuteronomy 30:17 niv

But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them,

Deuteronomy 30:17 esv

But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them,

Deuteronomy 30:17 nlt

"But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods,

Deuteronomy 30 verses

Deuteronomy 30 17 Meaning

Deuteronomy 30:17 outlines the severe consequences if Israel's internal disposition, their "heart," shifts away from the Lord. It states that if their inner resolve deviates, leading to a state of active disobedience, they will inevitably be lured or driven away to the practice of worshipping and serving gods other than the true God. This verse starkly contrasts the previous verse, which promises life and blessing for obedience, presenting the dire alternative of apostasy and its ramifications.

Deuteronomy 30 17 Context

Deuteronomy 30:17 is embedded within Moses's final address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. This chapter concludes a lengthy discourse that spans from chapter 27 through 30, often called "The Deuteronomic Covenant" or "The Great Choice." Moses lays out the most critical decision facing Israel: life and prosperity through obedience to God's covenant, or curses and destruction through disobedience. Verse 17 directly follows a clear injunction to love, walk with, and obey the Lord for the sake of their lives (Dt 30:16), making it the direct alternative and a severe warning. The historical context is crucial; Israel is about to encounter nations deeply entrenched in pagan idolatry and immoral practices. Moses consistently warns against assimilation into these cultures and calls for absolute loyalty to YHWH alone, as articulated in the First Commandment (Dt 5:7).

Deuteronomy 30 17 Word analysis

• "But if" (וְאִם – ve'im): This conjunctive introduces a conditional clause, sharply contrasting the previous positive promise of life. It highlights that the choice presented to Israel is binary and that there is a stark alternative path with devastating consequences.
• "your heart" (לְבָבְךָ – levav'cha): This refers to the innermost being of a person—the center of will, intellect, emotion, and moral decision. It implies that a genuine turn from God begins internally, not merely with external actions. It signifies where allegiance is truly held.
• "turns away" (יִפְנֶה – yifneh): From the root panah (פָּנָה), meaning "to turn," "to face," or "to incline." This signifies a deliberate shift in one's focus, allegiance, or orientation. It's not accidental but a purposeful movement away from the divine.
• "and you are not obedient" (וְלֹא תִשְׁמָע – ve'lo tishma): Literally, "and you will not hear" or "and you will not listen." In biblical terms, "hearing" implies not just perceiving sound, but actively listening with the intent to comply or obey. This phrase clearly links the internal turning of the heart to outward manifestations of disobedience.
• "but are drawn away" (וְנִדַּחְתָּ – veniddachtah): From the root nadach (נָדַח), meaning "to push away," "to entice," "to drive out," or "to seduce." Used in the passive voice, it suggests being lured or led astray by deceptive influences. This implies a powerful pull, potentially from the surrounding pagan cultures or the innate sinfulness of the heart.
• "to worship" (וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֵיתָ – vehish’tahchavita): From the root shachah (שָׁחָה), meaning "to bow down" or "to prostrate oneself." This describes an act of reverence and submission, acknowledging the perceived sovereignty of a deity. It denotes an act of formal religious homage.
• "other gods" (לֵאלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים – le'elohim acherim): This directly refers to any deity or spiritual power other than the one true God, YHWH. It highlights the exclusivity of Israel's covenant with God and strictly forbids polytheism, fulfilling the First Commandment (Dt 5:7).
• "and serve them" (וַעֲבַדְתָּם – va'avad’tem): From the root avad (עָבַד), meaning "to serve," "to work," or "to be a servant." This signifies more than mere bowing down; it implies active allegiance, dedication, and living according to the practices and demands of these other deities. It's a comprehensive devotion.

Deuteronomy 30 17 Bonus section

The contrast between verses 16 and 17 in Deuteronomy 30 provides a clear, mutually exclusive choice: wholeheartedly obey the Lord for life and blessing, or turn away to idolatry for certain destruction. The Hebrew concept of "heart" (levav) is deeply significant here, representing the entirety of one's inner being, not merely emotions. Therefore, "turning away the heart" indicates a fundamental shift in one's core allegiance and identity. The use of "drawn away" (niddaḥtâ) suggests not only a passive drift but also a potential for active seduction or expulsion from the divine presence due to unfaithfulness, as warned elsewhere. This verse, like much of Deuteronomy, serves as a foundation for understanding the prophetic calls for repentance in later Old Testament books, always emphasizing the heart as the primary source of sin and spiritual renewal. The New Testament similarly connects spiritual drifting to a "hardened heart" and warnings against turning away from Christ (e.g., Heb 3:7-19).

Deuteronomy 30 17 Commentary

Deuteronomy 30:17 is a profound warning against apostasy, stemming from an internal spiritual condition. It emphasizes that defection from God begins in the heart, where affections and allegiances reside. A heart that "turns away" is one that consciously shifts its focus and loyalty from YHWH, resulting in active disobedience to His commands. This internal disengagement makes one vulnerable to being "drawn away" by the deceptive allure of idols and false worship. The ultimate manifestation of this inner turning is to "worship" and "serve" other gods, implying a complete submission to and adoption of pagan practices, directly violating the essence of the covenant. This verse underscores the critical nature of wholehearted devotion to God and highlights the pervasive danger of idolatry, not just as a ceremonial act but as a radical redirection of one's entire being. It serves as a perennial caution against any divided loyalty that pulls the heart from exclusive commitment to the Living God.